Hell of a storm

[KJD13]

Martin,
I checked out my toppie on the Port of Melbourne web cam during the worst of the blow, and I can reassure you that the moored boats were coping a pounding - the wind was recorded at 57.2 knots! (that is in excess of 106 km per hour).
I saw my boat get hit side on by a very strong gust and whilst it didn't lay her over, it did make it heel to about 30 degrees. Perhaps if your storm boards were not sealing properly, these could have let in some water during the heeling - may be worth checking along with your cockpit drains to see if they are blocked.
Cheers,
Kevin
Wayward Lady, a Mark 111
Williamstown, Vic

[Troppo]

Several times I have had enough water in Windchaser to cover the cabin floor. Once it was half way up to my knee. The first two times was just after I bought her and with taking her through very strong wind-against tide steep waves, so I realised later, the bilge pump hose was not high enough and was allowing water slapping on the stern to be forced into the bilge. At the time I had no idea where it suddenly came from. The other serious time was when we had 1 metre something of rain in 48 hrs (ex-cyclone): the cockpit had only small drains at that time,pencil size, and they clogged up, probably with spiders, and so water overflowed into the cabin. Drama getting out to Windchaser, drama as I manually pumped her out inside and outside fended off logs and weed-mats coming down, drama as I cut the mooring rope since the water was rising fast enough that the bow was being pulled under as I worked on her. Boats are heaps of fun.

So, in my opinion, it takes a very serious problem, not just a leak here and there, to allow that much water inside. Certainly worthwhile taking some time to work out what happened for that water to get inside.

troppo

[genda]

TopHatters
Tom Graeme Troppo thanks for the helpful tips the other day after Genda had taken in a gut full of water.
I went for a sail yesterday and was pleased to find only a small amount of water in the bottom of the bilge even though we had up to 100 k winds last week.
Brett the molds guy only makes molds for 2 and 3 Tophats and suggested to make up a drop down curtain or apron arrangement to prevent water washing in.Very helpfull bloke.
Graeme the box was chock full of water so I've flushed it 3 times and will check it again next week thanks for the heads up.
Tony, I spoke to Clint form Alstain re the mast bridge yours will be ready next week he might make me one the following. Thanks again
I need to replace the windows, was thinking about tinted Lexan. Can you tell me if all the windows are a random size and shape ? and is the way to fit them just to sika flex them straight on
Cheers Martin

[Phillip]

Martin,

I have replaced my windows with tinted Lexan.

The trick is to get the lightest tint, otherwise it will be too dark inside.

[Phillip]

Martin,

Had to check that you had a Mk1.

The windows on a Mk1 are just bolted on with a silaflex seal BUT...

When you do this you have to insert a washer between the Lexan and the cabin top on the bolts.
This is to ensure that you have a seal because without the washer you will squeeze all the silaflex out.
Best also to leave the silaflex to dry slightly, but still sticky, before bolting together.

Hope that helps.

[genda]

Thanks Phillip
Most helpful, it would have been great not to use bolts ! I was hoping to prep the surface and adhere direct to the cabin.
Life is seldom that simple,I intended to sail a week ago but on the way out a rope was sucked into the intake of my jet boat in 1.5 mt swell and I had to dive over the side in freezing conditions to cut free the rope.
I know eventually I'll experience the thrill of a trouble fee day of sailing.
Thanks again Martin

[Troppo]

Martin, I do not know if this is relevant for you, but this 'how-to' article shows windows just being stuck on, no screws.

http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/windows.html

cheers

troppo

[Phillip]

Troppo,

Martin will already have the bolt holes drilled, it was the standard way Baker fixed windows.

Coastal Passage article has the windows on the outside, Mk1's are inside.

I think I would prefer the bolts, takes no extra time to fix the windows, I did mine in one day.

[Troppo]

Hey Phillip, that's interesting about the MK1 windows on the inside. As you say, probably be better to do a straight replacement rather than change the way it's done.

troppo

[Phillip]

This a window done some time ago.
Even after all this it did leak recently but I just tightened up the bolts and all was OK

Window removed showing bolts. Note the extra washer as a spacer.

Window-detail-1.jpg (116.94 KiB) Viewed 4498 times

Window with sikaflex not cleaned up.

window-detail-3.jpg (59.4 KiB) Viewed 4498 times

Completed window

Window-detail-2.jpg (96.47 KiB) Viewed 4498 times